B Is for Bellies
What’s inside...
B Is for Bellies is a joyous picture book that celebrates every body from A to Z. Through bouncy rhyming text by Rennie Dyball and vibrant illustrations by Mia Saine, the book showcases a range of body shapes, sizes, races, abilities, and gender expressions. It emphasizes self-love, kindness, and respect for all bodies, whether dancing or resting. This affirmational read aloud encourages younger readers and their caregivers to recognize that all bodies are good bodies.
Discussion points
What do you think makes each belly in the book special?
Can you describe how the illustrations make you feel about the characters?
Why do you think the author chose bellies as the main theme?
How do the different bellies in the book help us learn about diversity and acceptance?
What is your favorite part of the book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, changing your tone to match the emotions in the story.
Point to the illustrations as you read, asking your child to identify colors, shapes, or other elements that stand out.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s own experiences, such as a time they felt unique or celebrated differences with friends.
Encourage your child to draw their own 'special belly' and describe what makes it unique, reinforcing themes of diversity and self-acceptance.
Ask follow-up questions that relate the story’s themes to real-world scenarios, fostering deeper understanding and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Body Positivity
Explanation: B Is for Bellies emphasizes embracing and celebrating diverse body types.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to accept and love their own bodies as well as appreciate the differences in others, which promotes inclusivity and self-esteem.
Example Lesson: Alphabet Knowledge
Explanation: The book uses each letter of the alphabet to introduce different body shapes and parts, enhancing letter recognition and phonetic skills.
Real-World Application: This helps children in their early literacy skills, making it easier for them to start reading and writing in school.
Example Lesson: Health Awareness
Explanation: Through engaging rhymes and illustrations, the book subtly introduces concepts of health and how various body parts function.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this knowledge to better understand their own bodies and develop habits that contribute to their health.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diversity
Explanation: The book showcases a wide array of body types and features, teaching children to respect and value everyone's unique physical characteristics.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop empathy and reduces the likelihood of bullying based on physical differences.
Example Lesson: Confidence Building
Explanation: Characters in the book demonstrate confidence in their own skin, regardless of their body type.
Real-World Application: Children can emulate this confidence, which is crucial for their social and emotional development and interactions with peers.